rift

Meaning

Noun

1. A chasm or fissure.
2. (figuratively) A lack of cohesion; a state of conflict, incompatibility, or emotional distance.
3. A break in the clouds, fog, mist etc., which allows light through.
4. A shallow place in a stream; a ford.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To form a rift; to split open.
2. (transitive) To cleave; to rive; to split.

Verb

To belch.

Verb

past participle of rive

Synonyms

crack

fissure

split

cleft

crevice

gap

breach

break

slot

rupture

rent

fracture

chink

slit

cleavage

chap

hole

🕳️

cut

chasm

falling out

incision

severance

dissension

interstice

cranny

notch

gulf

schism

disagreement

tear

impair

interruption

interval

opening

pause

placket

quarrel

rapture

rift valley

rip

ripped

rive

rut

scissure

section

splinter

vein

window

🪟

incisura

flying-off

Translations

Spalte

Riss

fissure

rift

hendedura

rendija

fente

Bruch

fenda

scheur

Spalt

fessura

fenditura

barst

rift

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɹɪft/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: rift

Cognate with Danish: rift

Cognate with Norwegian Bokmål: rift

Cognate with Old Norse: rífa

In summary

From Middle English rift, of North Germanic origin; akin to Danish rift, Norwegian Bokmål rift (“breach”), Old Norse rífa (“to tear”). More at rive.